TimeformBlog

Dorset Square did well to win at Killarney last time and is now only 6 lb higher in the weights, so deserves plenty of respect, but the one who really catches the eye in the staying handicap at 18.10 is Dermot Weld's Rainforest Magic. He was all the rage to win off this mark at this festival last year, and though he only managed third he didn't really get the run of things that day. He wasn't seen to best effect on his final start of the campaign at Leopardstown, either, when a steady gallop resulted in a blanket finish which was totally against this staying type, who was niggled along as soon as the tempo increased but still finished around several future winners. All in all, there was a distinct air of unfinished business about Rainforest Magic after his three-year-old campaign, and though a brief spell over hurdles this winter wasn't quite so encouraging, he really does look one to back now that he steps up to two miles and is refitted with blinkers.

The Galway Mile just over half an hour later is typically competitive. That said, the number of horses with pretensions to being much better than their marks are quite thin on the ground. Stunning View warrants respect for the Weld/Smullen combination, while Lightening Stricks is another who may have some untapped potential, but the one who makes most appeal is Defining Year. He started off his three-year-old campaign with victory in a well-contested Curragh handicap before finishing runner-up in a listed event there. His latest run at Gowran was a shade disappointing, but the nine-and-a-half-furlong trip may have been as issue, whilst his subsequent absence suggests he may have had some sort of problem as well, so it doesn't require much of a leap of faith to assume he could get back on the up, especially as he should be able to get a good position from his plum draw.

The seven furlong handicap at 19.45 is another race to attract a maximum field so luck in running will play a part. Toufan Express looks an interesting contender though, especially as he could be the type to go under the radar after three low-key efforts this year. His 2010 form gives his profile a far more convincing look, now down to a 2 lb lower mark than when scoring at this festival last year, whilst he also seems ideally suited by an end-to-end gallop at this trip, so at the likely prices he should be supported.

Recommendations
Back Rainforest Magic in the 18.10
Back Defining Year in the 18.45
Back Toufan Express in the 19.45

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